While women’s interest in aviation remains low in Türkiye, Lale Selamoğlu Kaplan continues to inspire many, both men and women, through aviation lectures at various universities. She is also a contributing writer for aviation magazines.
We interviewed Lale Selamoğlu Kaplan for Aviationext. Here’s her story, in her own words:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born in February 1961 to a banker father and a teacher mother. My father, who was a very honest man, worked as a branch manager at Türkiye Halk Bankası. Due to his job, we moved frequently across Türkiye: Erzurum, Yozgat, Bursa, Osmaniye, Nazilli, Giresun, Akşehir, Kütahya, Artvin, Gaziantep, Çankırı, Denizli, İzmir, and finally Istanbul. In high school, I studied in Springfield, Minnesota, through the AFS (American Field Service) program.
When did you enter the aviation industry?
After graduating from Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Law, I moved to Istanbul in 1987 after getting married. I wasn’t familiar with the city at all, but I applied to Turkish Airlines and was hired. During my interview, I was told they needed a lawyer in the commercial department, which is where I started. I’m so glad I did — the commercial unit is the lifeline of any airline.
Which departments did you work in at Turkish Airlines?
After two years in the commercial department, I transferred to the airline’s legal counsel office. I first worked as a legal advisor, then became Deputy Legal Counsel, leading international projects including aircraft procurement and sales. Due to the intense workload and travel, I later returned to the commercial department and was appointed as the Director of Turkish Airlines’ Dubai office, overseeing operations in Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. I played a key role in expanding routes in the region — for instance, increasing flights from Dubai from three per week to two per day, and making Bahrain a daily route.
Then one day, Candan Karlıtekin called me and said, “The tulips have wilted in Dubai, and they’re blooming in Istanbul,” bringing me back to the head office for the Star Alliance integration project. Even today, when I hear “A Star Alliance Member” during flight announcements, I feel proud knowing my team and I contributed to that.
I later became Head of International Relations and Alliances at THY. I had experience with Qualiflyer Alliance and advised our executives that it wasn’t the right time for Turkish Airlines to join an alliance back then.
How did Turkish Airlines’ Star Alliance membership process unfold?
When I returned to headquarters, one of my tasks was overseeing THY’s Star Alliance integration. The other was supporting Türkiye’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation in bilateral air transport agreements. With full support from our board and a highly motivated team, we successfully completed the Star Alliance membership process, and Turkish Airlines officially joined on April 1, 2008. I also worked on updating and negotiating bilateral aviation agreements with many countries.
Do you have a memorable moment from your aviation career?
Cost-saving and profitability were always top priorities for me. At one point, I was managing multiple countries, and our phone bills were enormous. I tried to implement Skype to cut down costs, but it wasn’t allowed in many Middle Eastern countries. So I brought all the office computers to Istanbul, had Skype installed, and sent them back. Our monthly phone bill dropped from $7,000 to $100.
What did you do after retiring from Turkish Airlines?
In 2009, I transitioned to the legal advisory team at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, which gave me a new experience on the ground side of aviation. After four years, I returned to private practice and opened Selamoğlu Law Office. I also began teaching aviation and labor law part-time at Özyeğin University’s Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences, as well as at other universities. As an IATA instructor, I’ve conducted courses on aviation law, competition law, contract law, and consumer rights around the world. I continue to share my knowledge with the industry.
Do you remember your first flight?
Yes, it was a charter flight to the U.S. with Pan Am.
What would you like to see in the future of aviation?
I hope to see a stronger and more updated regulatory framework for Turkish civil aviation. I’ve always been proud to be part of THY. If I’ve contributed even a little to the airline’s current success, it’s my greatest honor.
Who was the first woman in aviation that inspired you?
Interestingly, the first “aviator” woman I encountered was a plastic doll of Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, gifted to me by a Russian sailor. That doll sparked my dreams of going to space. Through my father’s job, I traveled across Türkiye, and through my own career, almost around the world.
Any female aviation role models you admire?
I never had a specific female leader as a role model, but I’ve always wanted to be someone who helps achieve and sustain gender equality in aviation. If I had to name someone, I’d say Amelia Earhart and Sabiha Gökçen, Amelia as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and Sabiha Gökçen as the world’s first female military pilot. Both are pioneers in their own right.
